By Staff Reporter
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged youths to embrace and preserve Ijaw culture and language, describing them as essential elements of the people’s identity and unity. Diri gave the charge on Saturday at the grand finale of the 2026 Gbarain Uzu New Yam Festival in Ogboloma, Yenagoa Local Government Area. He was represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe.
The governor said the festival, which rotates among communities in Gbarain Kingdom, represents the people’s shared history and unity and should be used to promote Ijaw heritage. “We must take pride in our culture. Festivals like this are platforms to learn, teach and propagate our language and tradition. If we don’t preserve it, no one will do it for us,” he said.
Diri also highlighted the agricultural potential of Gbarain Kingdom, noting that the community’s fertile land offered opportunities beyond the oil and gas sector. The Ibenanaowei of Gbarain Kingdom, King Funpere Akah, thanked God for the harvest and called for increased development in the kingdom.
Akah appealed for the dualisation of the Igbogene-Polaku Road and urged Renaissance Africa Energy Company, formerly Shell, to partner with the government on the project. The Amananaowei of Ogboloma, HRH Akeri Reginald-Okoro, described the festival as a celebration of cultural renewal.The event featured the traditional breaking and eating of roasted new yam, locally known as Aya Buru.
